in the United States in Fifty Years. 205 



caused a rapid rise in the value of their lands. The interruptions 

 to that commerce in the second period, and part of the third, pro- 

 duced a correspondent depression. On the other hand, the depre- 

 ciation of the currency in most of the States during the war, and in 

 all of them about the year 1835 and 1836, had the effect of enhanc- 

 ing the price of land. 



Let us now advert to the progress of commerce, seeing that the 

 growth of national wealth may be expected to manifest itself in an 

 increase of exports and imports. But since they greatly vary from 

 year to year, it will be necessary to take the average of several years. 



The average imports for the three years, from March 4th, 1789, 

 to March 4th, 1792, were as follows : 



The imports from March 4th, 1789, to December 31st, 1791, $52,200,000 



" from December 31st, 1791, to March 4th, 1792, equal to one- 

 sixth of the imports of that year, 5,250,000 



One-third of. $57,450,000 



is $19,150,000 



The average imports of 1839, 1840, and 1841 are $132,393,000, 

 which shows an increase in fifty years of 692 per cent, equal to a 

 decennial increase of 47 per cent, which is about two-fifths, or 40 

 per cent more than the average decennial increase of population. 



The average annual exports of domestic products from March 

 4th, 1789, to March 4th, 1792, were $13,500,000, and for the years 

 1839, 1840, and 1841, the average was $107,937,000, showing an 

 increase of 799 per cent in 50 years, which is equal to a decennial 

 increase of something more than 51 per cent. 



Again : The average imports for the years 1819, 1820, and 1821, 

 were $74,720,000, and when compared with those of 1839, 1840, 

 and 1841, an increase is shown of 77 per cent in 20 years, equal to 

 a decennial increase of 33 per cent, which is rather less than the 

 increase of the population in the same period. 



The consumption of those commodities which are in extensive, 

 but not in universal use, may also be presumed to indicate the pro- 

 gress of wealth. Of this character ai*e tea, coffee, and wine, all of 

 which, moreover, being imported from abroad, their home consump- 

 tion can be accurately ascertained. 



From 1808 From 1836 



to 1812. to 1840. 



The average quantity annually consumed of Coffee, was lbs. 16,158,000 96,274,000 



Tea, 3,445,932 14,591,000 



Wines, gls. 1,737,002 5,422,000 



The increased consump. in 30 years of Coffee, 495 p. cent ; the decen. increase 81 p. cent. 

 " .« Te3) 323 >< ,< i. 61 „ 



« ti u Wine> 212 « « « 46 « 



18 



